Food For Thought
Nutritional Counseling: a new service for our clients
Animal nutritionists work to increase, apply and promote the understanding of the effects of diet on the health, well-being and longevity of animals. This support service assists veterinarians in managing the dietary needs of hospitalized patients and outpatients. Pet Care Veterinary Hospital’s nutrition advocate, Licensed Veterinary Technician Bridgett Farrell, is available to evaluate your companion animal’s current nutritional needs. The ever-expanding pet food market with its various nutritionalhealth claims can be overwhelming for the consumer and veterinary professional alike. Recommendations will be made with regards to appropriate dietary modifications, feeding methods (free feed versus measured or timed feedings), adjusting intake, evaluating types and brands of food, and the advantage or disadvantage of adding supplements.
Bridgett completed the Licensed Veterinary Technician Program at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1999. Bridgett is currently a member of the American Association of Veterinary Nutritionists (AAVN). She is an active participant on the AAVN message board and enjoys posting questions whose answers require extended research from the members. Bridgett is also currently working towards her Licensed Veterinary Technician Nutrition Specialty Certification.
In order to make the appropriate recommendations there are many factors, which must first be evaluated. These include the animal’s medical history, age, body condition score (BCS) to evaluate body fat, muscle condition score (MCS) to evaluate muscle mass, whether the animal has been spayed or neutered, lifestyle, food sensitivities or allergies and taste preferences. One of the goals will be to research the commercial foods available and determine if they meet your pet’s nutritional needs.
The owner’s personal preferences must be considered and these may include the amount of time needed and convenience of food preparation, accessibility to the products needed, as well as ethical and financial concerns. Some examples of these concerns include the use of certified organic ingredients, home prepared diets, locally sourced ingredients or prescription foods. Bridgett will investigate how the cost invested in your pet’s nutritional regime may prevent future medical expenses.
After the initial recommendations are made and accepted, Bridgett will then follow-up to ensure that the patient’s acceptance and response have been positive. Adjustments to the diet may need to be made depending on the nutritional goals that have been set.
Please fill out the Nutritional Consult Form to identify pertinent nutrition-related information for review and to decide if your pet will benefit from a Nutrition Consult. Communication will be tailored to your convenience and will be maintained until results are satisfactory. Please note that the fee for a Nutritional Consult is $50.00.
Download the Nutritional Consult Form.
Get information about pet health and safety from the Center for Veterinary Medicine.
…I take great comfort in knowing that she had the best care possible under your care. …Thank you for your thoughtfulness, kind words and generous deeds.
— Deborah
